Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday harshly criticized the ruling parties in Maharashtra for their failure to appoint Leaders of the Opposition (LoP) in the state legislature, highlighting this absence as a sign of fear towards democratic scrutiny.
Raut conveyed his dismay during a press conference, stating that it is a matter of shame that Maharashtra lacks a Leader of the Opposition in either House of the legislature. “It is a democratic necessity to have a Leader of Opposition in municipal corporations, state assemblies, and Parliament. This is not just a tradition but a constitutional requirement,” he asserted.
The seasoned politician accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of systematically obstructing the appointment of LoPs through political manipulation over the last decade. “The BJP has consistently attempted to weaken and insult the institution of the Leader of Opposition. Conducting legislative business without an LoP shows the ruling parties’ fear of the post,” Raut said.
He emphasized Maharashtra’s longstanding tradition of appointing Leaders of the Opposition, regardless of the numerical strength of competing parties. “Even when the BJP lacked the necessary numbers in Parliament, it was still granted the LoP position. This longstanding tradition appears to be deliberately dismantled,” he remarked.
Amidst this outcry, Raut also noted that the opposition is unified in its demand for the appointment of Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature. Shiv Sena (UBT) has proposed Bhaskar Jadhav for the Legislative Assembly, while the Congress party has nominated Satej Patil for the Legislative Council.
In addition to these concerns, Raut criticized Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule regarding his comments on potentially dividing Maharashtra to create a separate Vidarbha state, claiming that the proposal had Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis‘s backing. “Shiv Sena (UBT) will staunchly oppose any attempt to divide Maharashtra. The unity of this state is non-negotiable,” Raut declared.
Addressing the vibrancy of parliamentary discussions, Raut referred to the recent Vande Mataram debate, which he claimed showcased the unsettled nature of the ruling BJP in the face of opposition from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. “The presence of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi invigorated the debate, reinforcing the belief that democracy is thriving. It uncovered the weaknesses of the BJP and its associated organizations,” he asserted.
Moreover, Raut pushed for a discussion on the Maharashtra Geet in the state legislature, stating that such a conversation would foster meaningful discourse regarding the contributions of various leaders and movements to the formation of Maharashtra and Mumbai.
